Self-employed person: Selection criteria

get a minimum of 35 points after we grade you based on our five selection criteria and point system

Your score

Your maximum possible score is 100. The pass mark is currently 35 points, but it may change. Make sure you visit this site regularly if you’re thinking about immigrating to Canada as a self-employed immigrant.

We select candidates based on:

the documents that you give us

your score under each of the selection criteria

you meeting the definition of a self-employed person

As part of the immigration process, we may ask to interview you. During the interview, a visa officer will ask you to explain:

information that is unclear or inconsistent

shortcomings or gaps in the documents that you provide

If there’s a difference between your statement of your qualifications and the visa officer’s assessment, we’ll award points based on the officer’s decision.

Points for education: maximum 25 points

You have a Master’s Degree or Ph.D. and at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

25 points

You have two or more university degrees at the bachelor’s level and at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

22 points

You have a three-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

22 points

You have a university degree of two years or more at the bachelor’s level and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

20 points

You have a two-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

20 points

You have a one-year university degree at the bachelor’s level and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

15 points

You have a one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

15 points

You have a one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

12 points

You completed high school.

5 points

Points for experience: maximum 35 points

Relevant experience must have been obtained in the period that begins five years before you sign your application and ends when a decision is made on your application.

Two years of relevant experience

20

Three years of relevant experience

25

Four years of relevant experience

30

Five years of relevant experience

35

Points for age: maximum 10 points

You will be awarded selection points based on your age at the time when the visa office receives your application.

Age

Points

16 or under

0

17

2

18

4

19

6

20

8

21–49

10

50

8

51

6

52

4

53

2

54+

0

Points for language ability: maximum 24 points

Your proficiency in English or French is one of the 5 selection factors. You’ll be awarded up to 24 points for your basic, moderate or high proficiency in English and French. You’ll be given points based on your ability to:

listen

speak

read and

write

If you have some proficiency in both English and French, decide which language you’re more comfortable using. This is your first official language. The other is your second official language.

You must prove the level of language proficiency you claim on your application if you wish to have your official language proficiency considered in the assessment of your application for permanent residence.

Designated language testing agencies

You can arrange to take a language test from any of the following designated agencies.

You must submit results from these TCF Canada tests as proof of your French language skills:

compréhension de l’écrit

compréhension de l’oral

expression écrite

expression orale

You can use language test results for up to two years after the date you take your test, but the test results must be valid when you submit your application.

Description of each level of proficiency

Proficiency Level

Ability

Speaking

Listening

Reading

Writing

HIGH: You can communicate effectively in most social and work situations.

Speaking: High

Listening: High

Reading: High

Writing: High

MODERATE: You can communicate comfortably in familiar social and work situations.

Speaking: Moderate

Listening: Moderate

Reading: Moderate

Writing: Moderate

BASIC: You can communicate in predictable contexts and on familiar topics, but with some difficulty.

Speaking: Basic

Listening: Basic

Reading: Basic

Writing: Basic

NO: You do not meet the above criteria for basic proficiency.

Does not meet Basic Level

Does not meet Basic Level

Does not meet Basic Level

Does not meet Basic Level

Points for adaptability: maximum 6 points

A maximum of 6 points for adaptability can be earned by any combination of the following elements.

Adaptability

Maximum 6
points

Spouse or common-law partner’s level of education

Secondary school (high school) diploma or less: 0 points

A one-year diploma, trade certificate, apprenticeship, or university degree and at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies: 3 points

A two or three-year diploma, trade certificate, apprenticeship, or university degree and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies: 4 points

A master’s degree or PhD and at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies: 5 points

3–5

Previous work in Canada
You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner have completed a minimum of one year of full-time work in Canada on a valid work permit.

5

Previous study in Canada
You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner have completed a program of full-time study of at least two years’ duration at a post-secondary institution in Canada. You must have done this after you were 17 years old and with a valid study permit.

There’s no need to have obtained a degree or diploma for these two years of study to earn these points.

5

Relatives in Canada
You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner, have a relative (parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, child of a parent, sibling, child of a grandparent, aunt or uncle, or grandchild of a parent, niece or nephew) who is residing in Canada and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

5

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